cruising yacht club of australia

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Cruising Yacht Club of Australia

Over the past 77 years, the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race has become an icon of Australia's summer sport, ranking in public interest with such

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1 New Beach Road, Darling Point NSW 2027

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Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race 2019, Cruising Yacht Club of Australia

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Cruising Yacht Club of Australia

The Cruising Yacht Club of Australia (CYCA) is Australia’s premier yacht club and home to what is considered yachting’s ‘Everest’ – the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race.

Members and visitors to CYCA enjoy being part of an active Club in a superb location with state-of-the-art facilities and an international reputation that attracts yachts and crews from all over the world.

Nestled along the beautiful Rushcutters Bay foreshore, the Club enjoys stunning harbour views and world-class facilities and offers its 3,500+ Members and many visitors many reasons to visit regularly. Just three kilometres from Sydney’s CBD, a short drive or beautiful comfortable stroll, CYCA’s stunning location is a major drawcard for the Eastern Suburbs community.

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Give Sailing a Go!

Youth teams prepare for australian match championships, cycsa yachts performing well in hammo, check out our spring dining specials, sa women's keelboat regatta, melbourne cup luncheon, cycsa agm - thursday 19 september 2024, monthly club byo bbq, cycsa learn to sail.

Choose a course from our course calendar

CYCSA Opening Day 2024

Mariners ristorante, secret mens business places 2nd in the 2024 australian yachting championship & 3rd in the irc nsw championship..

SailPass for casual entries

Results/Nominations/Entrants

41 Sailsys help articles here

Anniversary? Birthday Day? Gift vouchers available

Why we sail

Sintara Sydney Hobart 2022 highlights

Clockwork prepares for Sydney – Hobart

Admirals Bistro

Dining at the club.

View our Menus and Opening Times Here

Our Club & Membership

Marina Berths & Hardstands

Berths for sale or short/long term lease suitable for all boats big and small, with convenient on site slipway and maintenance facilities

Events & Hire

Hold your next event at our award-winning function venue complete with panoramic marina views and attentive staff for a truly memorable experience

Waterfront Dining

Our Admirals Bar & Bistro offers stunning marina views and modern cuisine sourcing local produce

Marine Academy Training

Make the most of your time out on the water. Develop your skills in sailing, powerboating, seamanship, theory and navigation

Make our Club, your Club! Become a member of the CYCSA today and get ready to enjoy a great range of benefits.

Click here for more info

Our unique location and award winning function areas are complete with panoramic marina views to guarantee a truly memorable experience.

Professional, Friendly & Affordable Events. Our award-winning function venue is located along the pristine coastline of North Haven.

Berthing & Facilities

Members of the CYCSA enjoy facilities of the highest standard. Whilst the Clubhouse represents the hub of activities there is much, much more for members. Click here for more info

Australian Sailing Keelboat

The AS Keelboat Scheme is an exciting development for sailing in Australia and offers the perfect Adult Learn to Sail intro to the sport. Click here for more info

Youth Sailing Squads

Our YSF offers a range of  training courses available for all levels… School Holiday Squad / Youth Winter Performance Squad / Youth Development Squad and more… Click here for more info

Women only keelboat courses which allow you to learn to sail with other women in a fun and social environment.

An upscale waterfront dining experience… Click here for more info

Upcoming Events

Club members bbq.

• 6:30pm - 8:30pm

Twilight Novelty - cancelled as daylight saving has not started yet

Cruise stansbury: ‘sounds by the sea’.

• 8:00am - 3:00pm

SAWKR Dinner

• 6:00pm - 11:00pm

Bravo Sails Pre-Christmas Twilight Series

Ysf fundraiser dinner.

• 6:00pm - 10:30pm

Club Inshore

Non spinnaker race.

• 8:00am - 5:00pm

Small Boat Series

Bravo sails women's series, short offshore, boating conversations.

• 7:30pm - 9:00pm

CYCSA Opening Day

• 8:30am - 11:00pm

YALUMBA Great Southern Regatta

Cockling day at goolwa beach.

• 10:00am - 3:00pm

Premier's Cup Regatta

Kid's xmas party.

• 10:30am - 1:00pm

Associations Xmas Bash

• 6:00pm - 9:30pm

Twilight Novelty

Boxing day lunch.

• 11:00am - 5:00pm

MyEasyBnB Twilight Series

Bravo sails short-handed series, myeasybnb winter series, pt vincent destination race, racing assoc agm, pasc port line icebreaker series, pasc port line cup, please support our sponsors.

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Sailors recognised in Queen’s Birthday Honours

Three members of the sailing community have been recognised for services to sailing in the Queen's Birthday 2020 Honours.

Mr Glenn Bourke AM, Mr Patrick Bollen OAM and Mrs Jean Wilmot OAM all from New South Wales were among the list of notable Australians recognised on this year’s list.

“We are overjoyed to see Glenn, Patrick and Jean recognised on the list of recipients this year,” said Australian Sailing President Daniel Belcher. “All three have given so much to the development and promotion of our sport, and today we thank them for everything they have done. The awards are all thoroughly deserved.”

Olympian Bourke has dedicated his life to our sport, and has been recognised for his significant service to sailing at the elite level as a competitor, coach and administrator

On the water, he was one of Australia’s premier sailors across the late 1980’s and early 90’s. He was selected to the 1980 Moscow Olympic Team but missed the opportunity to compete due to the boycott. He won three consecutive Laser Class World Championships from 1988-90 before switching to the Finn where he represented Australia at the Barcelona 1992 Games. He also won back-to-back Yachting Australia Yachtsman of the Year awards in 1989-90, sailed in three Admiral’s Cup campaigns and in the 1987, 1992 and 1995 America’s Cups.

After retiring from professional sailing he has forged a career in the sailing industry. He did a four-year term with the Sydney Organising Committee for the Olympic Games culminating in a role as competition manager for sailing at the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games. He then held CEO roles for the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia and Germany’s Illbruck Challenge team for the Volvo Ocean Race and was also CEO of the Volvo Ocean Race. In 2008 he commenced his current role as CEO of Hamilton Island, home to Hamilton Island Race Week.

In that time he has also contributed to the development of the sport. He was a Coach at the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games and has been a member of the Olympic Nominations Committee for Australian Sailing for the past three Games.

Patrick Bollen OAM has been recognised for his service to the community, and to sailing. A long-time member of the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia, Bollen is one of the most credentialled sailing journalists and has done so much for the promotion of our sport.

Over the years he has covered sailing for the Sydney Morning Herald, the Australian, 2UE, 2GB, News Corp, Fox Sports and the Macquarie Network. He has reported on the America’s Cup, the Pan Am Clipper Series and the Sydney to Hobart every year since 1974.

Jean Wilmot OAM received her honour for service to sailing, and to dance education. Wilmot has dedicated her life to the sport and is a member of the well-known sailing family from Sydney’s Northern Beaches. 

Her time and dedication led to the successes of her son Bob (multiple Windsurfing World Championships), daughter Amanda (first female to win a World Championship in an open class at the Cherub World Championships in 1974), grandson Nathan (2008 Olympic Gold Medallist) and son James (multiple World Champion across classes) among others. She has been a long-time member of Middle Harbour Skiff Club and Middle Harbour Yacht Club. We thank her for her support of past, current and future sailing champions.

Australian Sailing congratulates the many other members of sailing clubs who were recognised for their contributions in the list of Honours today.

NYYC AMERICAN MAGIC: EXCELLENCE, DETERMINATION AND PASSION

Representing the New York Yacht Club in the America’s Cup comes with a huge amount of responsibility and a serious weight of expectation. The most famous yacht club in the world, the architects of ‘America’s Cup,’ is an elite organisation built on excellence and a reputation that is peerless. Standing on the shoulders of the giants of the sport, the club’s glittering Cup roster includes names that both inspire and enthral for legendary endeavour.

The America’s Cup is a richer place with the New York Yacht Club's involvement so when the members of the famous West 44 th Street Clubhouse rounded their support behind American Magic ahead of the 2021 campaign, it was a welcome inclusion.

Going one step further in 2024 with the renamed ‘NYYC American Magic’ confirmed the club’s seat firmly at the top table with an outstanding organisation from top to bottom and a very real prospect of success.

Sadly, that prospect was extinguished on September 19 after a thrilling semi-final against Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli in the white-hot cauldron of the Louis Vuitton Cup. Such was the level in 2024 that even the most well-funded and supported, fell by the wayside. 

This had been a continuity challenge. One that never stopped since the heart-breaking capsize and near-sinking in 2021 that ended what was deemed to be a potent challenge for the Cup with a very fast boat. Undeterred and with outstanding leadership shown by Terry Hutchinson, along with the superb backing and vision of Doug de Vos and Hap Fauth, NYYC American Magic were quick to appoint, in August 2021, Scott Ferguson as Design Co-Ordinator.

Immediately the complex design work started as the team started to pull apart the details of the Louis Vuitton 37 th America’s Cup Protocol. In January 2022, the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron confirmed the American syndicate's challenge as the third formally accepted for the event.

With the design, shore, technical, and administrative teams coming together quickly – many returning from the Auckland campaign in 2021 – Hutchinson set about assembling the sailing team and picked a mix of emerging talent and experience. Paul Goodison, gold medallist and three-time International Moth World Champion was a key signing alongside Olympic bronze medallist Lucas Calabrese, Andrew Campbell, Michael Menninger, Riley Gibbs and Dan Morris.

The well-respected Tom Burnham came onboard as Team Coach and in March 2022, Hutchinson commented: “We are excited to announce this group of talented sailors. We are confident we are putting together a balanced team of experienced America’s Cup sailors with new blood to help American Magic accomplish this goal.”

The sailing roster, however, was about to get a huge boost with rumours circulating for months about the possible signing of the then World Sailor of the Year, Olympic gold medallist and double International Moth World Champion, Tom Slingsby.

Australian by nationality but with dual citizenship, the mercurial Slingsby was announced in May 2022 and his sense of excitement was matched by the enormity of task ahead of him: “I’m extremely excited to return to the America’s Cup arena. The AC75s are remarkable craft, and I look forward to doing whatever I can to help our team in their quest to bring the trophy back to the United States and the New York Yacht Club. We’ve got world-class talent onboard the boat and backing us on the shore, I’m proud and excited to be a part of it.”

With everything set, the next piece of the puzzle was confirmed a month later in June 2022 with Pensacola, Florida becoming the team’s home-venue. Later (in early 2024) the team would confirm the establishment of a high-performance sailing centre at the Port of Pensacola – a cutting-edge facility to serve as the team’s headquarters for designing, building, hosting regattas, and developing the current and next generation of America's Cup, Olympic, and international sailors.

By the middle of October 2022, the team relaunched ‘Patriot’ their warhorse AC75 from the Auckland campaign, and began testing at full scale, implementing systems and configuration changes almost weekly as they pushed the development enveloppe hard. Caught on recon, on windy days, ‘Patriot’ was hitting speeds unseen before, with the sailors and shore team growing in confidence.

The rest of the Cup world eyed their progress eagerly and it could even be argued that what NYYC American Magic began to achieve in their AC75 programme, arguably kick-started some of the other teams into full-scale sailing.

The campaign pushed forward through to the New Year in 2023 and at the beginning of March, the team took delivery of their first of two, AC40s and named her ‘America’ after the club’s most famous yacht that started it all in 1851. A second AC40 followed at the end of June 2023, christened ‘Magic’ – the name of the yacht that first defended the Cup in 1870.

By the time of the first Preliminary Regatta in Vilanova i La Geltrú in September 2023, NYYC American Magic were looking impressive and aced a tricky regatta, securing a one-point win in the series after an abandoned Match Race Final, but crucially scoring first blood, real momentum and creating a growing belief in their campaign.

Training continued in Barcelona with the team undertaking extensive two-boat match-race practice in the AC40s and bringing through the underlying talent of the likes of Harry Melges IV, Severin Gramm, Kyle Navin and Helena Scutt who, for sure, are all potential Cup stars of the future whilst the senior team rotated regularly to find the best combinations.

All was set for the second Preliminary Regatta in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia but for a myriad of reasons, the team struggled and performed below par, by their own admission. Speaking at the beginning of December 2023, Terry Hutchinson, emphasized the importance of learning from both successes and setbacks: “Winning hides a lot of things and losing unfolds some of that. We will take a good, hard look at ourselves and understand what that means.”

The team bounced back strongly from the experience in Jeddah and doubled down on training through the winter in Barcelona, piquing interest on a daily basis as they pushed ever harder, whilst Brandon Linton’s build-team at the American Magic facility up in Portsmouth was well into the construction of a truly innovative AC75, with lines drawn by Britt Ward and Pete Melvin. In total, some 30 designers, CFD analysts, engineers, naval architects, and boatbuilders completed over 108,000 hours of design time, and 65,000 construction hours were dedicated to refining every aspect of the boat.

At the end of March 2024, the boat dubbed ‘B3’, was safely packed onto an Antonov cargo plane for its final delivery to Barcelona and immediately gossip sprung up around its radical nature. Those rumours were confirmed at the end of April 2024 with the boat being unveiled and revealing a low-profile scow bow and recumbent cyclor pods that significantly reduced aerodynamic drag.

Design co-ordinator Scott Ferguson highlighted the ambition saying: “We followed our own design path with Patriot as we pushed the limits of the AC75 rule while tailoring for the Barcelona venue. Our overall philosophy is minimalistic, as we've tried to squeeze down our volumes to the base minimum while still fitting the crew and systems into the boat. There are trade-offs for every decision regarding performance, weight, energy, and forgiveness. The design team, together with the sailing, shore, and build teams, have developed what we feel is a strong package for competing at a high level here in Barcelona.”

After some impressive commissioning work, ‘Patriot’ was soon at full speed with Slingsby and Goodison pushing ever harder and Andrew Campbell and Mike Menninger emerging as the key trimmers and flight controllers. The Louis Vuitton Preliminary Regatta saw the team come out with early wins against INEOS Britannia and Alinghi Red Bull Racing before a loss to Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli and then a breakdown ahead of the race with Orient Express Racing. On the final day, the American team bounced back and scored a brilliant, dominant race win against Emirates Team New Zealand. 

By the end of the second Round Robin stage of the Louis Vuitton Cup, momentum was draining from the sailors and an injury to Paul Goodison, who fractured five ribs during a post racing incident, meant a change of the afterguard configuration with Olympic medallist Lucas Calabrese stepping in. The team finished third overall with a win/loss ratio of 4/6 and with INEOS Britannia selecting to race Alinghi Red Bull Racing in the semi-finals, NYYC American Magic faced the speed and determination of Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli.

What greeted the Americans on the racetrack was immediate fire and brimstone from the Italian team on the opening two days of the Louis Vuitton Cup Final and the scoreline of 4-0 was certainly not reflective of how close the racing was, with NYYC American Magic ruing small handling errors that cost them possible race wins.

A comeback was always possible, and the tide began to turn on day three, ahead of a planned Reserve Day, when ‘Patriot’ eked a win in light conditions with the lower wind speed of 6.5 knots being tested at the start. What Tom Slingsby and Lucas Calabrese showed was a growing trust in their partnership and a feeling all around the team that the impossible could happen.

On the next race day, again in light airs, the Americans secured an opening win to take the series to 4-2 and then were the beneficiaries of a dramatic breakdown on Luna Rossa who damaged their mainsheet traveller system and were forced to retire.

At 4-3, everything was possible, but the American dream was extinguished ruthlessly on the final day with a repaired Luna Rossa coming out firing, acing the windshifts in a moderate breeze to close out a 61-second win that ended the NYYC American Magic Challenge.  

Speaking afterwards, Terry Hutchinson reflected on the campaign, saying: “I think we’ve to go and take a good hard look at things that we did well and things that we didn't. We've got so many great people; plus we've got so many great assets and technologies inside American Magic that I don't think it's the end. The thing that we have to continue to do is figure out what we can do well and how we can improve this team. It’s a much better team than it was four years ago and look how we've evolved. It’s a lot of hard work and it's an incredible organisation with some incredibly passionate people.

“We've had a lot of support from the members of the New York Yacht Club and their engagement has been spectacular. Commodore Cross and Commodore Harrington have both been on site here, as well as some past Commodores, and we held an event here in Barcelona where Commodore Cross got choked up when he was speaking because that's how significant it is for the club and for the membership. Sure it's not everybody's cup of tea and that's okay, but it is a part of our club history and we are fortunate to have the club as a partner as New York Yacht Club’s presence helps perpetuate the value and allure of the America’s Cup.”

Race Director Iain Murray was full of praise for the NYYC American Magic challenge saying: “American Magic have come here with an incredibly powerful and professional group that clearly looked outside the design window – with the recumbent cyclors, a more extreme boat than others, very low profile, everything very driven by windage concerns.

"But they're a great team. They've sailed really well. The races have been incredible, but they’ve just been missing that little bit of speed and that is a difference between winning and losing America's Cup races. The loss of Paul Goodison off the boat at a critical time was the last thing they really needed and to have to reset and go into really tough races where every second counts was hard. Hopefully the New York Yacht Club, with their tradition and history in the America's Cup and the people behind American Magic continue, because they are a great team.”

The New York Yacht Club will be back at some point in the future. That is for certain as the club seeks to regain the most famous trophy in yachting and one that they held famously for 132 years. This time, in 2024, it was not to be, but what is being created in Pensacola by Doug de Vos and Hap Fauth, and the magnificent sailing squads that Terry Hutchinson assembled and corralled, are a cornerstone and marker for the future. The next generation is coming through fast with the NYYC American Magic Youth & Women’s teams demonstrating serious talent from top to bottom.

The quest to return the America’s Cup to West 44 th street continues.

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Bars and Dining

Images: Jessie Ann Harris

Opening hours:

Monday-Sunday: 0800-2000hrs

Enquiries – Boathouse Reservations

Phone: (02) 4379 1131

Email: [email protected]

Sydney Hobart Bar

Mon-Tue: 1100-2100hrs

Wed-Thu: 1100-2200hrs

Fri: 1100-2300hrs

Sat: 0800-2300hrs

Sun: 1000-2100hrs

Coasters Retreat (Members bar)

Mon-Fri: 1600-2000hrs

Sat-Sun: 1500-2000hrs

Conditions of entry

Please note that under the Registered Clubs Act, visitors who are not Members of CYCA and who reside within a 5 kilometre radius of the Club may not enter the Club unless they are:

• a guest of a Member (and remain in their company); or
• a member of another NSW registered club that is a yacht club; or
• a member of any other NSW registered club (or a club established interstate that is licensed or permitted to serve liquor and have gaming machines) that is at the CYCA at the invitation of CYCA or a Full Member of CYCA to participate in a sailing event run by CYCA.

Visitors will be required to present a current photo ID showing their current residential address when checking in at Reception.

Whether you’re catching up with fellow sailors after a day on the water or just enjoying the waterside location with friends, the CYCA is the place to be! Dining at the CYCA brings together award-winning cuisine and a relaxed outdoor vibe.

Enjoy drinks by the water, order breakfast, lunch, dinner or a snack at the bistro and soak in the atmosphere on the waterfront seating.

Sydney Hobart Bar and deck

The Sydney Hobart Bar has a sophisticated fibreglass boat-shaped bar front, polished concrete flooring and a contemporary lighting plan. At the same time also being practical with a bar featuring 32 taps across two stations with carbon-fibre beer fonts.

There are numerous meal options for all visitors and occasions.

The elegant furniture on both the upper covered and lower open decks allows for the perfect place to meet after a Harbour twilight or offshore race for a cold beer or bottle of wine, as the sun sets over the CYCA.

Attire is always casual.

Coasters Retreat

Coasters Retreat on the upper level of the CYCA is an area exclusive to members and their guests with views over the marina and Rushcutters Bay towards the Sydney skyline.

The history of the club is ever-present with half-models of Sydney Hobart winning yachts lining the walls and plaques acknowledging boats and members for their years of service and sailing achievements. With a lounge area and double-sided fireplace adjoining the archives nook stories and traditions are readily available.

The Coasters Retreat Bar features a marble fronted bar and striking brass beer fonts. With sliding doors, balcony access and elegant furniture from Janus et Cie there is no better place to share stories and enjoy the Club.

Dress regulations apply in Coasters Retreat.

Click here to view the current opening hours of Coasters Retreat.

Liquor Act 2007

It is against the law to sell or supply alcohol to, or to obtain alcohol on behalf of, a person under the age of 18 years.

CYCA Principal Sponsor

Cyca official sponsors, helly hansen, club marine, sydney brewery, lgt crestone, the luxury collection, winnings appliances, roads and maritime services, cyca youth sailing academy sponsors and supporters, helly hansen, forecasts.global, vibe hotels, network marine, sun foundation.